Image manipulating system

ABSTRACT

An image manipulating system according to the present invention can perform interval recording for repeatedly recording supplied image information at predetermined time intervals. Herein, a limit value of recording time intervals designative depending on an applicable type of information recording medium; such as, a memory card, floppy disk, hard disk, or the like is stored for each type of information recording medium in an EEPROM. A CPU does not enable selection of a recording time interval exceeding the limit value, and eventually sets a time interval. Thus, the present invention provides a user-friendly image manipulating system capable of achieving interval recording in as strictest compliance as possible with a demand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an image manipulating system, ormore particularly, to an image manipulating system having an intervalrecording means for repeatedly recording supplied image information atset time intervals.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A conventional image recording/reproducing system, which acts asan image manipulating system using a floppy disk, a memory card, a harddisk, an optical disk, a magnetic tape, or the like as a recordingmedium can perform interval recording of still images once and again atset recording time intervals. The recording time interval is, irrelevantof a recording medium employed, specified with respect to a type ofrecording medium whose access speed is lowest among those of applicabletypes of media.

[0005] Shortest times of recording time intervals that is applicablecorresponding to the types of recording media for the imagerecording/reproducing system are 10 sec for the floppy disk and 1 secfor the memory card and hard disk in a mode of digital image datacompression recording.

[0006] As mentioned above, the shortest times of recording timeintervals are considerably different among types of recording media.Even when interval recording is desired to perform at as shortest timeintervals as possible, a time interval must be restricted in the longesttime period with respect to a type of recording medium whose accessspeed is lowest among those of applicable types of recording media. Evenwhen a recording medium employed offers a high access speed, recordingmust be performed at relatively longer time intervals. This isunreasonable.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendlyimage manipulating system capable of selecting a recording time intervaldepending on an adopted type of information recording medium andperforming interval recording in as strictest compliance as possiblewith a demand.

[0008] An image manipulating system according to the present inventionhas an interval recording means for repeatedly recording supplied imageinformation at predetermined time intervals, comprising a ruling meansthat presents a limit value for recording time intervals selectivelydesignative for repetitive recording depending on an adopted type ofinformation recording medium, and disables selection of a recording timeinterval exceeding the limit value.

[0009] In the above system, a recording time interval for intervalrecording can be set to any of values allowed by the ruling meansdepending on an adopted type of recording medium, and then intervalrecording can be executed.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will befully apparent from the description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of an imagerecording/reproducing system, which acts as an image manipulating systemof an embodiment of the present invention, with a remote-controltransmitter, a modem, and others connected;

[0012]FIG. 2 shows a layout of a front panel of the imagerecording/reproducing system shown in FIG. 1;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a main routine running in therecording/reproducing system in FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a sequence initiated at branch B4 inthe flowchart of the main routine in FIG. 3;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a sequence initiated at branch B1 inthe flowchart of the main routine in FIG. 3;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing subroutine IntRec called by the mainroutine in FIG. 5,

[0017]FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a sequence initiated at branch B5 inthe flowchart of the main routine in FIG. 3;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a sequence initiated at branch B6 inthe flowchart of the main routine in FIG. 3;

[0019]FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing subroutine Comp2 called by the mainroutine in FIG. 8;

[0020]FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing subroutine Right called by the mainroutine in FIG. 8;

[0021]FIG. 11 a flowchart showing subroutine Left called by the mainroutine in FIG. 8;

[0022]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing subroutine Up called by the mainroutine in FIG. 8;

[0023]FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing subroutine Down called by the mainroutine in FIG. 8;

[0024]FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing subroutine Recording called bysubroutine IntRec in FIG. 6 or the main routine in FIG. 7;

[0025]FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing subroutine Empty Directory NumberRetrieval called by subroutine Recording in FIG. 14;

[0026]FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing subroutine Empty DirectoryRetrieval 1 called by subroutine Empty Directory Number Retrieval inFIG. 15;

[0027]FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing subroutine Empty DirectoryRetrieval 2 called by subroutine Empty Directory Number Retrieval inFIG. 15;

[0028]FIG. 18 is a a flowchart showing subroutine File Name AutomaticProduction called by subroutine Recording in FIG. 14:

[0029]FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing subroutine File Name AutomaticProduction 1 called by subroutine Fine Name Automatic Production in FIG.18;

[0030]FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing subroutine File Name AutomaticProduction 2 called by subroutine File Name Automatic Production in FIG.18;

[0031]FIG. 21 shows an example of a menu screen for interval recordingin the image recording/reproducing system in FIG. 1;

[0032]FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram concerning dual-screendisplaying involving VRAts in the image recording/reproducing system inFIG. 1:

[0033]FIG. 23 shows an example of dual-screen display in the imagerecording/reproducing system in FIG. 1;

[0034]FIG. 24 shows an example of a menu screen for film name automaticproduction in the image recording/reproducing system in FIG. 1; and

[0035]FIG. 25 is a side view showing a battery-like conductor loadedtogether with another power supply applicable to the imagerecording/reproducing system in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED-EMBODIMENT

[0036] An embodiment of the present invention will be described inconjunction with the drawings.

[0037]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of an imagerecording/reproducing system, which acts as an image manipulating systemof an embodiment of the present invention, with a remote-controltransmitter and others connected.

[0038] Types of recording media applicable for image information to arecording/reproducing system 1 include, as shown in FIG. 1, a memorycard 3, a floppy disk (FD in FIG. 1) 5, and a hard disk (HD in FIG. 1).

[0039] The image recording/reproducing system 2 of this embodimentcomprises an A/D converter 11 for converting a supplied analog videosignal into a digital signal to be written in a video RAM (hereinafter,VRAM) 13 c, a D/A converter 12 for outputting a video signal to amonitor or the like, an image data memory 13 having the built-in VRAM 13c, data/address buses 22 and 23, a video bus 24, a recording/reproducingcontrol unit 14, a remote-control light receiver 15 for receivinginfrared light transmitted from the remote-control transmitter 2 andoutputting the transmitted signal to a CPU 14 a, operation switches 16that are switch buttons arranged on a front panel la (See FIG. 2) of amain unit of the system, a display 17 composed of LEDs for indicatingoperational states of the recording/reproducing system 1 and arranged onthe panel 1 a, an RS232C interface (I/F in FIG. 1) 18 that is a serialinterface circuit connected to the modem 4, a memory card interface (I/Fin FIG. 1) 19 that is a memory card interface circuit connected to thememory card 3, a hard disk drive unit 20, a floppy disk drive unit (FDDin FIG. 1) 21, batteries 25 realizing a power supply of 9 VDC or 5 VDC,and a voltage regulator 26.

[0040] The foregoing data/address buses 22 and 23 serve as signaltransmission buses linking between the memory card interface 19 and thecontrol unit 14, and between the control unit 14 and the RAM-A 13 a inthe image data memory 13, D/A converter 12, and A/D converter 11.

[0041] The video bus 24 serves as a video signal transmission busconnecting between the VRAM 13 c in the image data memory 13 and the D/Aconverter 12 or A/D converter 11.

[0042] The recording/reproducing control unit 14 controls circuitelements constituting the system and inputs a signal sent from theremote-control light receiver 15 and the output signals of the operationswitches 16. The recording/reproducing control unit 14 comprises the CPU14 a having a built-in interval recording means and being responsiblefor control, a CG circuit 14 b for outputting character data to besuperposed on a video signal, a RAM-B 14 c for storing data temporarily,a ROM 14 d for storing various control algorithms, an EEPROM 14 e forstoring various data including recording time intervals for intervalrecording so as to make the data available with power off, and a floppydisk drive controller (FDC in FIG. 1) 14 f for controlling the floppydisk drive 21.

[0043] The image data memory 13 comprises the RAM-A 13 a into whichimage data is fetched temporarily via the data/address bus 23 or a coder13 b to be described later, the coder 13 b for compressing ordecompressing image data, and the VRAM 13 c into which a video signal isfetched via the video bus 24 or coder 13 b.

[0044]FIG. 2 shows a layout of the switch buttons of operation switches16, LED indicators 17, and slots 1 b and 1 c with eject buttons, intowhich the memory card 3 and floppy disk 5 are loaded, on the front panel1 a of the image recording/reproducing system 1.

[0045] Buttons and indicators arranged on the panel 1 a except the slots1 b and 1 c for loading recording media are a POWER switch 16 z that isa power switch button, a Disp switch 16 w that is a character displayswitch button, a Set switch 16 x that is a switch button for settingconditions for, for example, compression or non-compression of imagedata, an LED display 17 e for displaying a frame number to be reproducedor recorded, a Card/FD/HD switch 16 r that is a switch button forselecting a type of recording medium, an LED 17 f for indicating aselected type of recording medium, and an Up switch 65 for designating“upward,” a Down switch 16 u for designating “downward,” a Right switch16 v for designating “rightward,” and a Left switch 16 t for designating“leftward,” which are general-purpose arrow select switch buttons.

[0046] Also arranged on the front panel 1 a are a transfer directionindication LED 17 g for indicating recording media acting as a sourceand destination of image data to be copied, LED indicators forindicating conditions for compression and non-compression of image data;that is, Fixed 1 and Fixed 2 indicators 17 a and 17 b for indicatingcompression under fixed 1 and 2 conditions, a Variable indicator 17 cfor indicating variable length compression, and a Non-compressionindicator 17 d for indicating that compression is not performed, a Copyswitch 16 a that is a switch button for copying image data of one screeninto a recording medium, an All Copy switch 16 b that is a switch buttonfor copying all image data from one recording medium into anotherrecording medium, a Format switch 16 c that is a switch button forformatting a recording medium, an Erase switch 16 d that is a switchbutton for erasing image data of one screen, an All Erase switch 16 ethat is a switch button for erasing all image data, a Rec switch 16 fthat is a switch button for designating a recording mode for recordingimage data, an IntRec switch 16 g that is a switch button fordesignating an interval recording mode, a Play switch 16 j that is aswitch button for designating a reproduction mode, a Start switch 16 hthat is a switch button for activating the Copy to IntRec processing andthe Play processing which are placed in a standby state because theassociated switches 16 a to 16 g and 16 j are pressed, and a Stop switch16 i that is a switch button for stopping the above processing.

[0047] Also arranged on the front panel 1 a are a Fld/Frm switch 16 kthat is a switch button for designating whether image data is recordedfield by field or frame by frame, a Comp2 switch 16 m that is a switchbutton for designating dual-screen display as a multi-screen displayreproduction mode, a Comp4 switch 16 n that is a switch button fordesignating quadruple-screen display, a Multi16 switch 16 p that is aswitch button for designating 16-division display. and LEDs 17 h forindicating whether the Copy to Rec switches 16 a to 16 f are pressed.

[0048] Recording, reproducing, interval recording, and copying to beexecuted in the image recording/reproducing system 1 of this embodimenthaving the aforesaid configuration will be described using theflowcharts.

[0049]FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main routine of control operationsin the recording/reproducing system. This processing starts with thePower switch 16 z on. First, initialization is executed at step S1.Initialization sets 1 as a frame number for image data in the memorycard 3 or floppy disk 5 which is to be recorded or reproduced. Atrespective branches B4 to B7, processing associated with the switchesare executed. When any switch is not pressed, it is checked if the Rightor Left switch 16 v or 16 t is on or off at step S2 or S3. If the Rightor Left switch is on, the frame number is incremented or decremented.The resultant frame number then appears on the LED display 17 e on thefront panel 1 a. Control is then returned to branch B4.

[0050] When control is passed to step S11 in the flowchart shown in FIG.4 via branch B4, conditions for interval recording are set. Moreparticularly, it is checked at step S11 if the IntRec switch 16 g is onor off. If the IntRec switch 16 g is off, control is passed to branch B5in FIG. 7 which will be described later. If the IntRec switch 16 g ison, control is passed to step S12.

[0051] At step S12, a menu screen G1 shown in FIG. 21 is displayed on amonitor when the screen information is output to the monitor via the D/Aconverter 12. This screen shows INT REC standing for interval recording(second line), the number of frames to be recorded (first line), andselective current values of recording time intervals for intervalrecording (fourth to eighth lines) which are associated with types ofrecording media and accompanied by specification of either datacompression (COMPRESS.) or non-compression (NO COMPRESS.). The number offrames to be recorded can be set by means of remote control.

[0052] The selective recording time intervals for interval recording canbe designated for each of the types of recording medium depending oncompression or non-compression by taking account the access timespermitted by the types of recording medium. For example, ranges listedin Table 1 are selective. A lower limit of time intervals listed inTable 1 is a value indicating a limit by which interval recording can beperformed in terms of the access time of each type of recording medium.Selection of a time interval smaller than the limit value is not allowedby a ruling means incorporated in the CPU 14 a.

[0053] In Table 1, a set constant for non-compression is not specifiedwith respect to a floppy disk or one type of recording medium. This isbecause even if interval recording is performed on a floppy disk in anon-compression mode, since a floppy disk has mere a storage capacity ofone or two screens, the system itself inhibits the interval recording ofa floppy disk. Alphanumeric characters in parentheses following Floppydisk in Table 1 denote natures of floppy disks in terms of storagecapacities thereof. Values in parentheses following Memory card in Table1 denote access times. As soon as a recording medium is loaded, thesystem autonomously determines whatever of the types of recording mediumlisted in Table 1 is used. TABLE 1 Range of set constants of Type ofrecording Compression or recording time medium non-compression intervalsFloppy disk (2DD) Compression 20 sec to 60 min (2HD) Compression 10 secto 60 min (2ED) Compression 10 sec to 60 min Memory card Compression 0.5 sec to 60 min (100 to 200 nsec) Non compression  5 sec to 60 minMemory card Compression  1 sec to 60 min (250 to 600 nsec) Noncompression 10 sec to 60 min Hard disk Compression  2 sec to 60 min Noncompression 20 sec to 60 min

[0054] Values that can actually be set as recording time intervals arepreprogrammed practical values within the ranges in Table 1. Forexample, in case of compressed data is stored in a memory card whoseaccess time is 200 nsec, thirty values listed in Table 2 can beselectively designated. Selection of any of the values is performed atsteps S36 and S37 in the flowchart of FIG. 5. If a value except thelisted values is chosen during the selection, warning may be given bysounding a buzzer or blinking an LED. TABLE 2 Recording medium Setconstant Memory card 0.5 (sec) (200 nsec, compression) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 9 (sec) 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 (sec) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 7, 8, 9 (min)10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 (min)

[0055] After the menu screen G1 is displayed at step S12 in FIG. 4,control is passed to step S13. The fourth line (FD (2HD) COMPRESS.) in adisplay area G1A in the screen G1 is colored in red. Control is thenpassed to step S14. It is checked if the Right switch 1Gv is on or off.If the Right switch 16 v is on, control is passed to step S19. It ischecked what is a red display line. If the red display line is any ofthe fourth to eighth lines, control is passed to step S31 in FIG. 5 viabranch B1 which will be described later. If the red display line is noneof the fourth to eighth lines, control is passed to step S15. If the reddisplay line is none of the fourth to eighth lines, control is passed tostep S15.

[0056] At step S15, it is checked if the Down switch 16 u is on or off.If the Down switch 16 u is off, control is passed to step S16. If theDown switch 16 u is on, control is jumped to step S20. The red displayline is displaced immediately below. Control is then passed to step S17which will be described later.

[0057] At step S16, it is checked if the Up switch 16 s is on or off. Ifthe Up switch 16 s is off, control is passed to step S17. If the Upswitch 16 s is on, control is jumped to step S21. The red display lineis then displaced immediately above. Control is then passed to step S17.The movable range of the red display line to be displaced at steps S20and S21 is within the fourth to tenth lines.

[0058] At step S17, it is checked if the Start switch 16 j is on or off.If the Start switch 16 j is off, control is returned to step S14. If theStart switch 16 j is on, control is passed to step S18. It is thenchecked if the ninth line in the menu screen G1 appears in red. If theninth line is not displayed in red, control is returned to step S14. Ifthe ninth line appears in red, control is Jumped to step S22. It isdetermined that recording time interval setting is released. The displayof the menu screen G1 is then turned off. Control is then returned tostep S11.

[0059] When control is passed to branch B1 as a result of the check madeat step S19, processing initiated at step S31, which will be describedhereinafter, is executed according to the flowchart in FIG. 5. In otherwords, the same line in a display area G1B as the red display line inthe area GIA in the screen G1 is displayed in red at step S31. At stepsS32 and 33, it is checked if the Up switch 16 s and Down switch 16 uthat are the direction switch buttons are on or off. If the Up switch 16s or Down switch 16 u is on, the constant of a recording time intervalfor the recording medium appearing on the red display line in thedisplay area G1B is changed to longer time or shorter time to equal toone of the values listed in Table 2. Control is then returned to stepS32. At step S34, it is checked if the Left switch 16 t is on or off. Ifthe Left switch 16 t is on, control is jumped to step S38. The displayarea G1A is displayed in red. Control is then returned to step S14 inFIG. 4 via branch B2. Medium specification or other processing isexecuted. If the Left switch 16 t is off, control is passed to step S35.

[0060] At step S35, it is checked if the Start switch 16 h is on or off.If the Start switch 16 h is off, control is returned to step S32. If theStart switch 16 h is on, the display of the menu screen CG is terminatedat step S39 so that interval recording can be executed. At step S40, apredetermined value of recording time interval is written in the EEPROM14 e. Therefore, even if the Power switch 16 z were turned off, thepredetermined value can be re-set effortlessly.

[0061] Next, control is passed to step S41. Subroutine IntRec which willbe described later is called. Interval recording is then executed at settime intervals. Thereafter, control is returned to step S11 in FIG. 4via branch B3.

[0062]FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing subroutine IntRec. In thisprocessing, first, medium specification is executed at step S51. At stepS52, subroutine Recording is called. Image data recording is thenexecuted. Control is then passed to step S53. A constant is then set fora timer according to the predetermined recording time interval. At stepS54, the timer is started to count down.

[0063] At step S55, it is checked if the Stop switch 16 i is on or off.If the Stop switch 16 i is on, the subroutine is terminated. If the Stopswitch 16 i is off, control is passed to step S56. It is then determinedwhether recording can be continued in terms of the number of remainingframes. If recording cannot be continued, the subroutine is terminated.If recording can be continued, control is passed to step S57. It is thenchecked if the timer stops counting down. Control is then returned tostep S55. If the timer completes counting down, the subroutineterminates.

[0064] As described above, in this system, recording time intervalsexceeding the access speed permitted by a concerned type of recordingmedium are ruled out. Thus, interval recording can be executed atdesired time intervals at which the properties of a recording medium canbe exploited fully.

[0065] As described previously, when it is found at step S11 in FIG. 4that the IntRec switch 16 g is off, control is passed to step S61 in theflowchart of FIG. 7 via branch B5. It is then checked if the Copy switch16 a is on or off. If the Copy switch 16 a is off, control is passed tostep S81 in FIG. 8 via branch B6. If the Copy switch 16 a is on, controlis passed to step S62. Copying is then executed.

[0066] First, at step S62, a designated frame in a first medium, whichserves as a copy source, having been designated at steps S3 and S5 inFIG. 3 is reproduced and displayed on the monitor. At step S63, it ischecked if the LED 17 f associated with the memory card 3 lights. If theLED 17 f lights, the one of the transfer indication LEDs 17 g indicatingdata transfer from a card memory to a floppy disk is lit at step S64. Ifthe LED 17 f does not light, the one of the transfer indication LEDsindicating data transfer from a floppy disk to a memory card is lit atstep S71.

[0067] At step S65, it is determined whether copying can be executed interms of whether recording image data in a second medium serving as atransfer destination is disabled and what is the number of framesrepresenting a remaining capacity. If copying cannot be executed,control is jumped to step S70. The one of the transfer indication LEDs17 g indicating data transfer from a memory card to a floppy disk andthe one thereof indicating data transfer from a floppy disk to a memorycard are put out. Control is then passed to step S81 in FIG. 8 viabranch B6. If copying can be executed, control is passed to steps S66and S67. It is checked if the Right switch 16 v or Left switch 16 t ison or off. If either the Right switch 16 v or Left switch 16 t is on, aframe number for image data in a transfer destination is incremented(step S72) or decremented (step S73). Control is then returned to stepS66. At this time, a frame number for image data in the first mediumserving as a transfer source appears on the single LED display 17 e.Image data associated with the frame number can be viewed when sent tothe monitor via the D/A converter 12.

[0068] When it is detected at step S68 that the Start switch 16 h is on,control is passed to step S74. Subroutine Recording which will bedescribed later is run to record data existent in the first mediumserving as a transfer source into the second medium serving as atransfer destination. Control is then passed to step S70. If the Startswitch 16 h is off, control is passed to step S69. It is then checked ifthe Stop switch 16 i is on or off. If the Stop switch 16 i is off,control is returned to step S66. If the Stop switch 16 i is on, controlis passed to step S70.

[0069] As mentioned above, in this system, a frame number for image datain a copy destination is automatically selected during recording in FIG.14 which will be described later. For copying, therefore, only a framenumber for image data in a medium serving as a copy source need beindicated on the single LED display 17 e. The system configuration cantherefore be simplified. Irrelevant of raw image information, thesimplification will not inconvenience any user.

[0070] When control is jumped to step S81 in the flowchart of FIG. 8 viabranch B6 in the flowchart of FIG. 7, it is checked if the Comp2 switch16 m is on or off. If the Comp2 switch 16 m is off, control is returnedto the main routine in FIG. 8 via branch B7. If the Comp2 switch is on,control is passed to step S82 at which one of multi-screen displayingmodes; that is, dual-screen displaying for providing a screen G2 shownin FIG. 22 is initiated.

[0071] At step S82, the frame numbers x and y for sub-screens appearingas right and left parts of the screen G2 in FIG. 22 are set to an equalvalue, and a flag R0 is set to 1. The frame numbers are displayed in thescreen. The right one of the frame numbers is displayed in red. The flagR0 is used as a display area specifying means for selecting andspecifying right and left display areas that are one part of the displayscreen and the other part thereof. The left or right display areacorresponds to an x area or a y area in FIG. 22. The screen displaymagnifications of the two sub-screens are set to be equal with eachother. At step S83, the dual screen G2 shown in FIG. 22 appears on themonitor. Specifically, an x-th frame is displayed as the left half ofthe dual screen G2, and a y-th frame is displayed as the right halfthereof.

[0072] Next, at step S84, it is checked if the Comp2 switch 16 m is onor off. If the Comp2 switch is on, control is Jumped to step S90.Subroutine Comp2 is called.

[0073] The subroutine Comp2 runs according to the flowchart shown inFIG. 9. First, the flag R0 is checked at step S101. If the flag R0 isset to 1, control is passed to step S102. The flag R0 is then reset to 0at step S101. At step S103, the frame number appearing above the leftpart of the screen is colored in red. If the flag R0 is reset to 0,control is passed to step S104. The flag R0 is then set to 1. At stepS105, the frame number appearing above the right part of the screen iscolored in red. The subroutine then terminates. Every time the Comp2switch 16 m is pressed, the right frame number and left frame number arealternately colored in red. Thus, the right and left display areas canbe specified selectively.

[0074] If it is found at step S84 in FIG. 8 that the Comp2 switch 16 mis off, control is passed to step S85 or later. At steps S85 and S86, itis checked if the Right switch 16 v and Left switch 16 t are on or off.If the Right switch 16 v is on, control is passed to step S91.Subroutine Right is then called. When the Left switch 16 t is on,control is passed to step S92. Subroutine Left is then called.

[0075] The Right or Left subroutine runs under the control of a meansthat executes processing for scrolling an image rendered in a displayarea that is part of a screen specified by the display area specifyingmeans; such as, the x display area or y display area in FIG. 22corresponding to an image signal produced for the display area.

[0076] Subroutine Right runs according to the flowchart in FIG. 10. Atstep S111, the flag R0 is checked. If the flag R0 is set to 1, controlis jumped to step S112. When the flag R0 is reset to 0 at step S111,control is jumped to step S113. At step S112, a value y1 that is acoordinate of a horizontal starting point of the y display area isincremented. At step S113, a value x1 that is a coordinate of ahorizontal starting point of the x display area is incremented. Afterthe incrementing, the subroutine terminates.

[0077] Subroutine Left runs according to the flowchart in FIG. 11. Atstep S115, the flag R0 is checked. If the flag R0 is set to 1, controlis jumped to step S116. When the flag R0 is reset to 0, control isjumped to step S117. At step to S116, the value y1 that is a coordinateof a horizontal starting point of the y display area is decremented. Atstep S117, the value x1 that is a coordinate of a horizontal startingpoint of the x display area is decremented. After the decrementing, thesubroutine terminates.

[0078] The value x1 or y1 of the coordinate of the horizontal startpoint indicates a scroll starting point in the x or y display area of adisplay screen and corresponds to a horizontal coordinate in image dataresiding in the VRAM1 or VRAM2 associated with the x or y display areaand incorporated in the VRAM 13 c. Incidentally, a scroll terminus inthe x or y display area of a display screen is indicated with xb or yb.The x or y display area therefore ranges from the starting point x1 ory1 to the terminus xb to yb. The value of the horizontal starting pointx1 or y1 ranges from a minimum x0 or y0, which indicates the leftmostend of the VRAM1 or VRAM2 in a single-screen display mode, to a maximumx2 or y2 indicating a middle point in the single-screen display mode.When the value of the horizontal starting point x1 or y1 assumes themaximum x2 or y2, the scroll terminus xb or yb coincides with a point xaor ya that is located at the rightmost end of the VRAM1 or VRAM2 in thesingle-screen display mode. The output of the VRAM1 or VRAM2 is selectedby means of a select switch element 13 c 1 or 13 c 2, and then fed tothe D/A converter 12. Thus, dual-screen display is achieved.

[0079] In the flowchart of FIG. 8, the processing of step S85 or 86 issucceeded by that of step S87 or 88.

[0080] At steps S87 and 88, it is checked if the Up switch 16 s and Downswitch 16 u are on or off. If the Up switch 16 s is on, control ispassed to step S93. Subroutine Up is then called. If the Down switch 16u is on, control is passed to step S94. Subroutine Down is then called.

[0081] The Up subroutine runs according to the flowchart in FIG. 12. Atstep S121, the flag R0 is checked. If the flag R0 is set to 1, controlis jumped to step S122. If the flag R0 is reset to 0, control is jumpedto step S123. At step S122, the frame number appearing above the rightsub-screen is incremented. At step S123, the frame number appearingabove the left sub-screen is incremented. The subroutine thenterminates.

[0082] The Down subroutine runs according to the flowchart of FIG. 13.At step S125, the flag R0 is checked. If the flag R0 is set to 1,control is jumped to step S126. If the flag R0 is reset to 0, control isjumped to step S127. At step S126, the frame number appearing above theright sub-screen is decremented. At step S127, the frame numberappearing above the left sub-screen is decremented. After thedecrementing, the subroutine terminates.

[0083] After the processing of step S87 or 88 in FIG. 8, control ispassed to step S89. It is checked if the Stop switch is on or off. Ifthe Stop switch is off, control is returned to step S83. If the Stopswitch is on, control is passed to step S95. A stop mode is effected by,for example, stopping dual-screen displaying. Control is then branchedat branch B7. Subsequent processing is then executed.

[0084] As described above, during the dual-screen displaying, the Upswitch 16 s or Down switch 16 u is pressed to designate two image datahaving two frame numbers, and the image data are displayed in twosub-screens separately. The Comp2 switch 16 m is then used to designatethe right sub-screen or left sub-screen. Thereafter, the Right switch 16v or Left switch 16 t is turned on or off, so that the right or leftsub-screen can be scrolled to display any division of one screen in fullsize. Consequently, the right and left sub-screens, especially, areasnear a boundary or ends of both the sub-screens can be compared witheach other effortlessly. In this system, a screen is divided laterally.The present invention is not limited to this working mode but may applyto vertically-divided multi-screen display or division display providingtwo or more sub-screens.

[0085] Subroutine Recording, which is called at step S52 in subroutineIntRec shown in FIG. 6, at step S74 in Copying initiated at branch B5 inFIG. 7, or during normal recording, will be described in conjunctionwith the flowchart in FIG. 14.

[0086] In the Recording subroutine, a directory to be recorded isselected automatically. First and second recording modes are available.In the first recording mode, all directories including those from whichimage data are deleted are searched to retrieve directories that are notrecorded image data. A directory having the smallest directory number isthen specified. The first recording mode enables effective use ofdirectories. In the second recording mode, a directory succeeding adirectory number of a directory in or from which image data has beenrecorded or deleted last is specified. Deleted directories are wasted.However, the second recording mode enables recording in order ofspecification.

[0087] A flag R1 which will be described later is adopted as a means forselecting the first or second recording mode. For example, a value setfor the flag R1 is stored in a recording medium, and a recording mode isspecified by reading the value. Alternatively, a display screen forrecording mode selection may be displayed successively to the menuscreen G1 in FIG. 21. While the screen is being viewed, switches arepressed to change the value set for the flag R1. Thus, a recording modemay be designated. As for a flag R2 used in file name automaticproduction which will be described later, similarly to the flag R1, avalue stored in a recording medium may be read out or a value may bedesignated and entered in a screen.

[0088] The Recording subroutine will be described more particularly.First, at step S131 in FIG. 14, subroutine Empty Directory NumberRetrieval for retrieving a directory in a recording medium, in whichimage data is to be recorded, is called.

[0089] The subroutine checks, as shown in FIG. 15, the flag R1 at stepS141. If the flag R1 is set to 1, control is passed to step S142.Subroutine Empty Directory Retrieval 1 is called to retrieve a directoryto be recorded in the first recording mode. If the flag R1 is reset to0, control is passed to step S143. Subroutine Empty Directory Retrieval2 is called to retrieve a directory to be recorded in the secondrecording mode.

[0090] The Empty Directory Retrieval 1 subroutine runs according to theflowchart in FIG. 16. At step S151, 1 is set for the designateddirectory number RN. At step S152, it is checked if the RN-th directoryhas been recorded image data. If it is determined that the RN-thdirectory has not been recorded, control is-passed to step S153. Anempty directory number is specified as RN. The subroutine thenterminates.

[0091] When it is found at step S152 that the RN-th directory has beenrecorded image data, control is jumped to step S154.

[0092] At step S154, the RN value is incremented. Control is then passedto step S155. It is checked if the RN value agrees with the maximumnumber of frames recordable in a recording medium; that is, the maximumnumber of directory entries RNmax. If they disagree, control is returnedto step S152. If they agree, control is passed to step S156 or S157. Itis then determined that an empty directory is unavailable. CARD FULL istherefore displayed. The subroutine then terminates.

[0093] The Empty Directory Retrieval 2 subroutine runs according to theflowchart of FIG. 17. At step S161, the designated directory number RNis set to a value representing the maximum directory number RNmax. Atstep S162, it is checked if the RN-th directory has been recorded imagedata. If the RN-th directory has been recorded, control is passed tostep S163 or S164. It is then determined that an empty directory isunavailable. CARD FULL is therefore displayed. If it is determined atstep S162 that the RN-th directory has not been recorded, control ispassed to step S165.

[0094] At step S165, the RN value is incremented. Control is then passedto step S166. It is checked if the RN-th directory has been recordedimage data. When it is found that the RN-th directory has been recorded,it is determined that all directories ending with the RN-th directoryhave been recorded image data. Control is then jumped to step S167. RN+1is specified as an empty directory number. The subroutine thenterminates. When it is found at step S166 that the RN-th directory hasnot been recorded, control is passed to step S168. It is then checked ifthe RN value is 1. If the RN value is 1, it is determined that alldirectories have been checked and not been recorded image data. 1 isthen set for the directory number RN. The subroutine then terminates.When the RN value is not 1, control is returned to step S165.

[0095] Step S131 in subroutine Recording in FIG. 14 is succeeded by stepS132. At step S132, subroutine File Name Automatic Production is called.

[0096]FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the File Name Automatic Productionsubroutine. The subroutine runs under the control of a meansincorporated in the recording/reproducing control unit 14 and designedto assign a file name. During file name production, part of a file nameis defined as arbitrarily non-designative and therefore specifiedautomatically, while the other part is defined as arbitrarilydesignative.

[0097] First, at step S171, a medium is checked for a value set for theflag R2. If the value is 1, control is passed to step S172. If the valueis 0, control is passed to step S173. Subroutine File Name AutomaticProduction 1 or File Name Automatic Production 2 is then run.

[0098] The File Name Automatic Production 1 subroutine runs according tothe flowchart in FIG. 19. At step S181, fixed characters, for example,DFS are specified as the first to third leftmost characters of a filename. At step S182, a character specific to the system, for example, Ais specified as the fourth leftmost character thereof.

[0099] The characters can be designated in a menu screen G3 shown inFIG. 24. That is to say, the first line in the is menu screen G3 isdisplayed in red. The character A is changed to B, C, or the like,whereby the fourth character is designated.

[0100] At step S183 succeeding S182, an automatically-specifieddirectory number, for example, 0036 is specified as the fifth to eighthcharacters. Next, at step S184, the characters specified at steps S181to S183 are combined to produce a file name. The foregoing exampleprovides DFSA0036.XXX. Note that XXX denotes a subordinate name of thefile name.

[0101] As mentioned above, in subroutine File Name Automatic Production1, a file name includes a directory number of a directory associatedwith the file. For copying image data, the system autonomously appends adirectory number to a file name. An operator therefore need not rename afile name. Furthermore, an accident that an old file having the samename as a new file is deleted will not occur.

[0102] The File Name Automatic Production 2 subroutine runs according tothe flowchart of FIG. 20. At step S191, it is determined that a copymode is designated. If the copy mode is designated, control is jumped tostep S197. The subroutine is terminated without any change in a filename. If the copy mode is not designated, control is passed to stepS192. Fixed characters, for example, DFS are specified as the first tothird leftmost characters of a file name. At step S193, a characterspecific to the system, for example, B is specified as the fourthleftmost character thereof. At step S194, a value of a serial filenumber RM stored in the EEPROM 14 e, for example, 0063 is specified asthe fifth to eighth leftmost characters thereof. At step S195, the valueof the serial file number RM is incremented. At step S196, thecharacters specified at steps S192 to S194 are combined to produce afile name. The foregoing example provides DFSB0063.XXX. Note that XXXdenotes a subordinate name of the file name.

[0103] As mentioned above, in subroutine File Name Automatic Production2, even when a plurality of systems of the same kind are installed;since any of the systems is distinguished from another with the fourthcharacter of a file name, the systems can be differentiated from one toanother. Moreover, since part of a file name is a serial file numberstored and managed in the EEPROM 14 e and associated with the fileconcerned, even if a medium is exchanged for another, a duplicate numberwill not be created within four characters. When image data is copied,therefore, a file name need not be renamed. A file having a duplicatename will not reside. This means that image data in an old file havingthe same name as a new file will not be deleted.

[0104] The serial file number RM may be defined with data produced bymanipulating values of a year, date, time, minute, and second. Theserial file number may be reset to 0s with the second line in the menuscreen G3 in FIG. 24 displayed in red.

[0105] Next, a power supply for the system will be described.

[0106] The power supply is composed of the batteries 25. Moreparticularly, six manganese batteries each generating a rated voltage of1.5 V are connected in series with one another and stowed in a batterycasing to constitute a power supply for inputting 9 VDC to theregulator. Five lithium batteries each generating a rated voltage of 1.8V, for example, can be used as alternative batteries. In this case, thepower supply accommodates one battery-like conductor 27 shown in FIG. 25as a dummy battery. Since five 1.8-V batteries are connected in serieswith one another, the power supply inputs 9 VDC to the regulator.

[0107] The battery-like conductor 27 has a first conductive part 27 aacting like a positive terminal of a battery and a second conductivepart acting like a negative terminal thereof and conductingsubstantially to the first conductive part. When batteries of anotherspecification, for example. lithium batteries are employed, five lithiumbatteries and one battery-like conductor 27 are connected in series withone another, so that the supply voltage of the lithium batteries becomessubstantially equal to that of six manganese batteries connected inseries with one another. Thus, the battery-like conductor helps avoidmalfunction due to overvoltage or undervoltage, or prevent circuits fromdestroying.

[0108] As described so far, an image recording/reproducing systemserving as an image manipulating system of this embodiment identifies anadopted type of recording medium, sets a recording time interval forinterval recording within a range allowed by a ruling means, and thenexecutes interval recording. A recording time interval can be selecteddepending on a type of information recording medium. Interval recordingcan therefore be achieved in as strictest compliance as possible with ademand. This results in the user-friendly system.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image manipulating system having an intervalrecording means for repeatedly recording supplied image information atpredetermined time intervals, comprising: a ruling means presenting alimit value of recording time intervals selectively designated forrepetitive recording depending on an adopted type of informationrecording medium, and disabling selection of a recording time intervalexceeding said limit value.
 2. An image manipulating system having acopying means for copying image information stored in a predeterminedinformation storage area in a first medium employed into a second mediumemployed, comprising: a single display unit for displaying informationspecifying said information storage area in said first medium containingraw image information for use in copying or information specifying theraw image information during operation of said copying means.
 3. Abattery-like conductor being mountable in a predetermined battery casingin an electronic equipment, in which a plurality of batteries areconnected in series with one another, so as to occupy a space equivalentto that of each of said batteries, and having a first conductive partthat acts like a positive terminal of each of said batteries and asecond conductive part that acts like a negative terminal of each ofsaid batteries and conducts substantially to said first conductive part.4. An image manipulating system, comprising: a display area specifyingmeans for selectively specifying one display area that is part of adisplay screen and the other display area that is the other partthereof; and a means for executing processing for scrolling an imagerendered in a display area specified by said display area specifyingmeans in response to an image signal produced for said display area. 5.An image manipulating system, comprising: a recording mode selectingmeans for selectively executing a first recording mode in whichinformation is recorded in a plurality of information memory areas,which are differentiated from one to another in terms of directories setin consideration of an adopted type of information recording medium anddo not contain recording information, sequentially in ascending order ofdirectory number, and a second recording mode in which information isrecorded sequentially in consecutive information recording areas, whichdo not contain recording information, succeeding an informationrecording area next to an information recording area having the largestdirectory number and containing recording information.
 6. An imagemanipulating system having a means for assigning a file name forinformation to be recorded so that said information can be formatted asa file and then stored in an employed recording medium, wherein: saidmeans autonomously creates part of said file name so that part of saidfile name cannot be designated arbitrarily while the other part thereofcan be designated arbitrarily.
 7. An image manipulating system having ameans for assigning a file name for information to be recorded so thatsaid information can be formatted as a file specified with an associateddirectory and then stored in an employed recording medium, wherein: saidmeans creates said file name so that said file name includes a directorynumber of said associated directory.